History

Patrice Faucogney, a career soldier and sports enthusiast, ended up paraplegic after a snowboarding accident.

November 1996After several stays in hospitals and physical therapy centres, Patrice arrived at Ploemeur’s Kerpape physical therapy centre in Morbihan where he met Mathieu Rietman (an orthopaedic prosthetist), and then during treatments outside the centre with Vincent Leroy (a physical therapist).

Through such activities as kayaking, catamaran sailing, or simply swimming and diving, he realized how difficult it was to access such activities with his friends.

July 1998After reflecting on the situation, Patrice Faucogney and his friends decided to develop a wheelchair providing access to beaches and swimming, allowing the user to be autonomous over difficult terrain, easily disassembled, with small overall dimensions for easy storage in a vehicle or boat, and highly robust.

1999-2001Period during which Patrice Faucogney and his friends developed the “Hippocampe” wheelchair

2002

The company Vipamat (from VIncent PAtrice MAThieu) created

to manufacture and market the “Hippocampe.”

First employee hired.

The Hippocampe and its designer received numerous awards

-Lépine Competition at the Invention Salon in Lorient

-Lépine Competition at the Invention Salon in Cherbourg

2003

-Lépine Competition at the International Invention Salon in Paris - Gold Medal